Trajtic signal



T. JONES.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18. 1921.

1,415,362; Patented May 9, 1922 i ///ll/// UNITE SATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORIC JONES, 01? .DALLAS, TEXAS.

TRAFFIC sIe IAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1922.

Application filed. June 18, 1921. Serial No. 478,533.

The invention has particular to do with a signal device adapted to be mounted on the side of an automobile and operated by the driver thereof. The object of the invention is to provide a tratiic signal of the swinging arm kind which may be operated and fastened in position in a simple and effective manner. Another object is to provide illumination for the signal hands. A further object is to provide a devicewhich may be employed on an open car or on a closed car.

A. particular feature 01 the invention resides ina sliding and'rotating operating rod co-operating with a fastening device and having universal connection with the signal arm whereby it may be slid and also rotated.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following speciiication and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the in vention is shown and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of an automobile equipped with signals constructed in ac cordance with my invention, a portion of the automobile being broken away to show the operating member and the signal arm being shown in different positions in full and dotted lines,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional detailed view of the signal device,

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional detail of the locking member,

Fig. 4 is a face view of the same,

Fig. 5 is a detail showing the electrical contact connections, and

Fig. 6 is a view of the arm signal.

In the drawing the numeral 10 designates a rectangular casing having its upper and outer sides open. The inner side of the easing is closed by a wall 11 and the casing is provided with a bottom 12. A bracket 13 attached to the bottom of the casing is also employed to fasten said casing to the suprest for the port 1 1-v which may either be the body of an open car or the body of a closed car. The support is provided with a slot 15 registering with an aperture 16 in the wall 11.

a signal arm 17 which may be in the form of a rod or bar and which is preferably tubular, is pivoted at its inner end on the studs 18 mounted in the front wall of the casing 12.

Onthe outer end of the arm a suitable signal device such as a hand 19 is mounted. This hand is provided with a suitable display opening 20 through which an incandescent lamp 21.:is exhibited. This lamp is connected with wires A. and B which extend through the arm 17. The wire B has connection with the casing 12 and is suitably grounded, while the wire A is connected with spring contact arm 22 mounted on the hub oi the arm 17 and suitably inflated there from. The contact arm 22 engages a segment 23 which has connection with a suitable source of electrical current from the automobile. v

Near its pivot the arm 17 is provided with a lug 24 to the outer end of which is pivoted a link 25. The link 25 has a ball 26 on its end engaging in a socket 27 on the outer end of an operating bar 28 which extends through the slot 15 of the aperture 16. The inner end of the bar 28 extends within the automobile and has a crank handle 29 fastened on its end. A locking collar 80 is fastened to the inner side of the support 1 1 31 and a slot 32 above its central opening,

said cam starting at the slot, and having a notch 81' at its opposite end.

It will beseen that by pushing or pulling the cam 28 so as to move it longitudinally,

the arm 17 will be swung in a vertical are.

When the bar 28 is pulled inwardly to its limit, the arm 17 will be swung to an up right position and will engage in the rest 33 whichis fastened to the windshield or side of the body. In order to hold the arm in this position, the bar 28 is provided with a lug 3 1 adapted to slide through the slot 32. By turning the handle lever 29 downwardly the lug 34 will ride over the cam 31 and drop into the notch 31 at the end, whereby the member 28 will be held against outward displacement and the arm 17 will be held in upright position.

WVhen it is desired to make a turn the handle 29 is rotated so as to bring the lug ride over the cam surface 31 and catch in thenotch when the bar is rotated. The arm 17 will thus be supported in the intermediate position shown in dotted lines. By repeating the operation and moving the bar 38' outwardly until a third lug 36 is engaged in the notch 81, said arm 17 is held in a horiz'oiit al position ii'idicating a stop.

It willhe seen'that the ball and socket joint '26 and 2? permits the bar 28 to be freely rotated. To assist in swinging the arm 1T1 provide a spring 37"which is coiled about the stud l8 and has one end engaging under the ar'i'n li'and its other end engaging in'one of the series of apertures 38 in the casing 12. By changing the engagement of the spring with the apertures 38, the tension ofthe spring is regulated. it will be seen that this spring tends to litt'the arm and, tl' eretore, when it is desired to swing said arm '17 upwardly'the operator Will be assisted b'ythe spring. Also in lowering or sivingingthe 'arin li' downwardly the spring will prevent a sudden and'jerhy movement of the latter.

Various changes in the size and construci d for holding said member against outward displacement and maintaining the signal arm in position.

2. in a traflie signal, a support, an arm PlTOtGCl on the support and adapted to swing in a vertical are, an operating bar having connection with tne arm and arranged to slide longitudinally and to rotate, and a tastening device through which the bar-passes pivoted on the support and adapted to swing in a vertical are, an operating bar having connection with the arm and arranged to slidelongitudinally and to rotate, a -fastening device through which the bar passes engaged by the bar when'the saine'is rotated, and a supporting spring connected with the'arin and arranged to be adjusted whereby its tension is varied.

i. In a tratiic signal, a support, a vertical swinging 'ariii carrying a signal device and pivoted onthe support, an electric lamp carried by the ariii,'electi'ic circuit connec tor the lamp, means for raising and lOWL-l'lllg said arm and fastening the same in adjusted positions, and a rest engaged by the arm and supporting it in its upright position.

5.111 a traffic signal, a support, a signal arni pivoted on the support and arranged to swing in a vertical are, a signal device carried by the arm. a longitudinally movable operatinghar, said bar having a ball and socket connection with the signal arm for winging the same, means on theinner end of the bar for rotating the same, a tastening collar through which the bar slides provided with a cam, and lugs in spaced relation on the bar for engaging behind the Cain to tasten the signal arm in adjusted positions.

In testimony whereot' l attix my signature.

Tl-llQUlDUR-IC' JONES. 

